Projection apparatus.



AMES, hr. PRWECTION APPARATUS.

APPucATmN me nmz e, me.

Patented Apr6 16,1918.

imam@ ADELBERT AMES, JR., or TEWKSBI'JRY, MASSACHUSETTS PROJECTION ArrAran'rus.`

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Am'. 16. 1918.

Application ined Jungs, i915, serial no,` 102,08*,

To all 'whom 'it may concern.' Y, h

Be it known that I, ADELBERT AMlis, J r., a citizen of the United States, and resident of Tewksbury, in the county of Middlesex and4 State of Massachusetts, have linvented new o and useful Improvements in Projection A pparatus, of whichv the following is a specification. f i

This invention relates to light projection apparatus designed to project a sharply defined, concentrated beam of light a considerabledistance. More particu arly the invention relates to a headlight for use on automobiles and the like adapted to illuminate the roadway/far in advance of the vehicle without producing upward glare, thatis, without projectingsubstantially any light above a 'horizontal' -plane passing through the region ofkthe light source, and at the same time adapted to produce distributed illumination Vfor relatively short and intermediate distances along the roadway. In my prior applications Serial No. 72,504 and Serial No. 72,505, both filed January 17, 1916, and Serial No. 102,086, filed June 6, 1916, I have disclosed light projection apparatus comprising a paraboloid'al or other concave reflector, a light source in the region of the focus of the reflector 'anda spherical or other auxiliary reflector for reflecting to said paraboloidal reflector the light radiating from the source 'in certain /directions, whereby alll or substantially all the light emanating from the source may be projected in and below a4 horizontal direction.

This invention comprises novel construction and arrangement of parts in apparatus of this character and the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises a substantially paraboloidalreflector positionedbelow a horizontal plane withits axis in theJ said plane and a deflector in the` form of va substantially spherical reflector positioned ,above said plane with its center 'in thefregion of the v focus of said paraboloidal reflector.

`For illuminating the lroadway infront of an automobile orother vehicle, for example,

it is desirable to produce a beam of.' light sharply defined by a horizontal plane passing through the region of the lightA source in order to avoid upward glare which would tend .to blind persons meeting the vehicle.

The beam of light should have a high degrec of concentration immediately below the horizontal'lplane to illuminate the aadway a considerable distance in advance of the vehicle and it should have a comparatively low degree of concentration throughout its.

lower portion to produce a distributed illumination over near and intermediate portions of the roadway. y

As fully explained vin my prior applications, above referred to my improved proj ector of the general type described produces the desired distribution of light and at the same time eliminates upward glare. The desired distribution is preferably obtained by positioning the center of the upper spherical reflector rearwardly or upwardly or both rearwardly and upwardly of the focus of the lower reflector and by placing thev light soureesubstantially between the said ,center and thesaid focus. The upward glare is preferably eliminated either by relatively positioning the light source, the center of' the upper reflector and the focus of the lower reflector, orby providing meansA adjacent the horizontal plane -between the two reflectors to deflect or absorb the light which would otherwise be projected in an upward direction, or by employing both of these eX- "pedients, as fully describedin the applica,

tions above referred to. t

However, it is at times desirable ,to vary the distribution of the light throughout the aforesaid beam and even to vary the relative position of the beam to meet the requirements of diffe-rent conditions, different drivers, different headlight laws, etc. To this end 'I provide means to adjust the upperv reflector relative to the lower reflector and vto adjust the light source relative to both re-i flectors, andv while I do not desire to limit myself' to the particular adjustments dis closed I have found that suitable adjust-- ments comprise means for moving the upper reflectory parallel to the axis ofthe lower reflector and'vmeans for vertically moving the lamp relative to both reectors.

Another object of the invention is to pro l vide a headlight which utilizes all the light radiating from the lg'htsourceto produce a beam of light of the character described and Awhich at the same time is much lighter and Other objects of the invention will 'be ape, parent lfrom the following descri tion and the accompanying drawings, in w ich* Figure l is a side view of one embodiment of my invention showing portion in section.;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. l; y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified embodie ment of my invention showing the top cover,` light sources and electrical connections removed; and

Fig. si is avertical axial section through the modiiied embodiment shownin Fig. 3.

in the particular embodiments of my invention illustrated in the drawings the apparatus comprises a substantially paraban loidal reflector P positioned below a horizontal plane containing the axis thereof, a

transparent front cover G, a deector in the I form of a sphericalreflector S positioned above the said horizontal'plane with its center 0 above and behind the focus f of the paraboloidal reflector, a lamp L positioned withits light source between the center o and f the focusf, an auxiliary lamp A and a casing @over the top of the apparatus.

The paraboloidal reflector l? comprises substantially the lower half of an ordinary projector, and over the top thereof is provided a flat cover plate 1 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto around its edge 2. The front edge of the plate 1 is turned up to fori-n a flange 3 which lies in the 'lame ver-t tical plane with the i'lange 'a -formed around the front periphery of the pari-iboloidal reilector l); The glass cover G is held in place between two packing-l washers 5 and G ,by means oi a iiangedannular ring 7 secured to the flanges 3 and eby asteningineans 8L`I The spherical reflector S comprises ais'i'ib,

stantiallyheinisplierical surface having liat horizontal members 9 for securing it in place. rilhe lamp L is preferably mounted in a cylindrical extension l1 surrounding an `opening 12 in the top of the spherical sur- :tace of the reflector, and the lamp is pref-- erably arranged to be vertically adjustable in the cylindrical member 1l, a set-screw 10 being provided to hold the lamp in adj usted position. The spherical reflector S is pret'- erably flared outwardly around its rear lower edge, as shown at 13,and is 'also pret?- erably curved inwardly around its. front`-` lower edge, as shown at 1d, to prevent upward glare which might otherwise result from the causes it'ully described in my aforesaid applications. The light sour'ceis preferably positionedabove the focusf'yflol' the lower reflector `/lpand ftorirthis reason means to prevent upward glare fr" hee'i'fezir 'upper portion' ofth'eilowe' r'ele torgfisiichas/'described infa'pplicationSe No. 102,086 is unnecessary.

Plate 1, substantially eoveriitiigsthe"lower" rllyfiis 'howini at reflector il?, extends rearwa "ifciiected.from the paraboloidal.reflector 'aim 16, and the extension 16 is provided with an opening 17 having a depending Harige 18 arranged to. connect with the tubular conduit 19, which is securedV thereto by means of two nuts fastened to the upper end of the con duit. rlhe depending flange 17 is preferably `filled with pitch or other material 2() to make thecasing air tight at this point. The iiat member 1 is provided with an opening 15 whereby the lamp L may extend therebelow, and whereby light'may pass from 'the spherical reflector to the paraboloidal re- Hector. Screws 23 pass through slots 24; and

are threaded into the plate' 1, lwhereby thev vspherical reflector may be axially adjusted relative to theparaboloidal reflector. Guides 2G'inounte'd on the plate 1 are provided at the ends of the members 9'to prevent angular displacement of the spherical reflector as recessed as shown to afford space for the lamp 1n front of the vertical portion rthe glass dome 31 resting on the extension 27 is provided to inclose the auxiliary light source The dome is held in position by means of a nut'33 having an in-'turned Hangge cooperating with the'ext-ffnaliiange on the lower periphery ofthe dome, packing washm ers 34tbeiiig inserted above and'v below the glass flange.` In this arrangement the aux-` iliary source of light is visible both 'from vin front and from thesides of the apparatus.

polished in order to reflect the light incident thereto. j

ln the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and the auxiliary source of light A is i in a cylindrical member' 27 securei'l i. plate l as in Figs. 1 and 2, but the lai inverted so that the light source is position` c.

slightly below the axis ot' the parabole/i reflector l), son'iewliat iii front or" the f of the reiicctor. 'W ith this arrangemen light from the aux-iliary signal lai'np is in be.

in part radiates directly through the lront cover (i, but owingto the fact that the.` au

iliary source is displaced from the :focus ol the paraboloidal reflector, it-.docs not produce concentrated light, being provided merely as a signal light and not as a source of illumination. The casing C of this einbodiinent completely incloses` the auxiliary lamp as well as the other parts in Figs. l and 2,'and in each modification the coveris The vertical portion 29, may, it desired, bek

,ies

secured to the horizontal yplate l by means A el screws 42. v

"ln Fig. ll is shown one suitable means 0f :mounting either .form of ,my improvedap-v paratus on a member 43 which, for example,

may bea mudguard of an automobile. The mounting means comprises amember 44 having substantially the same contour as the member 43 and lhaving an up-turned flange 46 at its forward edge which may be secured to the flange 4 of the reflector I). At its rear end member 44 may be connected to the plate member 16 by means of a. turnbuckle 47 pivoted at its two ends to .lugs on members 16 and 44 respectively. The conduit 19, arranged to house the electrical connections, projects through an opening 45 in member 44.

Owing to the fact that the projector P comprises-only substantially one-half ofthe ordinary paraboloidal reflector, and yet. projects all the light radiating from the light source, less vertical space is occupied my apparatus than by th'eordmary projector,

' notwithstanding the fact that the lamps and casing therefor project above ,the projector a certain limited distance. And owing to the fact that the lamps Iare mounted above the projector, instead of at the rear thereof as is ordinarily the practice, theapparatus occupies less space horizontally than does the ordinary type. of reflector. The front glass cover is only half a circle and therefore lighter than the ordinary glass cover, and a second shell surrounding and supporting the refiector shell is unnecessary owing to the reduced size and novel arrangement of parts. Thus, owing to its reduced size and reduced weight, the apparatus may be employed .in otherwise prohibitive places. v j' Furthermore, access to the lamps and other interior parts can be had by removing the cover C without removing the glass front cover and the latter 4may be permanently secured to the reflector in an air tight manner by unusually light weight means. By employing'the cover C as the detachable portion to permit access to the interior of the` lamp a hermetic seal may be more readily maintainedlnillsmuch as the cover is metallic and can be tightly bolted to the plate Il. Furthermore, whenthe top cover is removed, 4the horizontal platel serves to prevent contact with the polishedA surface of' the. re- Hector which would `tend to'cause tarnish` ment. v

- It is to be understood that the words horizontal, vertical, upward, downward, etc., aren used throughout the specification and claims merely for convenience in referring t6 relative locations and directions, and that my invention is not limited to headlights employed solely in the position herein described. On the' contrary, the invention is applicable wherever it is desired to project a beam of light sharply defined on at least 'onejside I contemplate, for example, ap-

Y .plying my invention to search-Rights employed to illuminatebu/ildings and the like.

or movable with relation to the reflector I intend to include a pivotal movementbetween the two parts, the insertion or removal of the light source without disturbing the transparent front cover also being effected in this way, whereas with the deflector integrally or otherwise,permanently secured to the'reflector, the4 deflector is'notonly not adjustable relatively to the reflector but the'light source is only accessible from the front of the appar( tus for adjustment and replacement.

Thile I have described in detail certain specific shapes and sizes of parts, certainy relative positions of parts, etc., extensivevariations of these factors obviously are ineluded within the scope of` the appended claims.

I claim: y

l. Projection apparatus comprising a light source, a substantially paraboloidal reflector, a substantially spherical defiector mounted on the reflector, the light source being adj ustably mounted on the deflector -so Athat its position with respect to the de fiector may be varied, and `means .vherely the deliector may be adjusted along the axis of the reflector.

2. Projection apparatus comprisinga substantially paraboloidal reflector, a su'bstantially spherical deiiector positioned,y with its center in the region of the focus of the reflector, and a light source in sai`diregion, the deflector being mounted for adjustment in one direction and the light' source being mounted for adjustment in al direction orientated with respect to the first direction.

3. Projection apparatus 'comprising a thefocus of the concavereflector.

' comprising a` a concave reflector 'having av 5. Projection apparatus light source, focus in the region of said light source, said reectorl being positioned at least inpart below a horizontal plane passing through the region of said light source, 4a substantially spherical reilector positioned above! said light source with its center in the re" gion thereof, means for horizontally adjustsubstantially paraboloidal reflector, a suby.

ing the Spherical reflector, and means for adjusting the light source upwardly and, downwardly.

@Projection apparatus comprising a light source, a concave reflector. having a focus in the region of said light source, said reflector being positioned at least' in part below a horizontal plane passing through the region of said lightsource, and a substantially .hemispherical reflector positioned above said light source with its center rearwardly of said focus, said light source being positioned substantially between said focus and said 'center.

7. Projection apparatus comprising a light source, a concave reflector having a focus in the region of said light source, said reflector being positioned. at least in part above .said lightosource with itscenter in.

the region thereof, said hemispherica'l reflector being curved inwardly at'and near' a portion of its periphery.

9. Projection apparatus comprising a light source, a concave reflector having 'a `l"focus in theregion of said light source, said reflector being positioned. at least in part below a horizontal plane passing through the region of said light source, a substantially heinispherical reflector positioned above said light source with its center in the region thereof, and means in the region ot said horizontal plane to prevent light being reflected to said concave reflector in. such a manner as to be projected above said horia plane parel zontal. plane.

'10. 'ih-ejection apparati'is comprising a concave reflector formed by approximately half a revolution .of substantially a, coiiic section, substantially heinispherical reflector positioned with its center in the region oit' the focus vof said concave reflector, the hemispherical reflector having an aperture in the region of the centerl thereof, 'and means for mounting a lamp in said aperture with its iightsonrce disposed in the region of the focus. l1. Projection apparatus comprising a con cave reflector formed by approximately half `a revolution of substantially a conic section,

said reflector having an edge substantially in l light source lel to the axis thereof, a member l naeaoio attached to the edge of said reflector, a portion of which extends over the edge thereof, means surrounding an opening in said eX- tendingportion oi" said member, means for heimetically sealing said opening, a trans-y parent front cover, means to hermetically seal said front cover ou said reflector, a metallic cover `for said reflector and means for liermetically scaling said cover 'to said member.

l2. Projection apparatus comprising a substantially seini-paraboloidal reflector, a

siibstantially semi-spherical deflector mounted on the reflector with its center in the region of the focus of 'the reflectorfor dem ilecting light to the redactor, a light source mounted on the deflector -in said region, means whereby'vthe dedector may be adjusted with respect to the reiiector, and

means whereby the light source may be adjusted with respect to the deflectr.

13. AProjection apparatus comprising a light source, a .concave reflector having a focus iii the 'regionoi said light source, said reflector being positioned at least inl part below a 'horizontal plane passing through the focus thereof, anda substantially spherical reflector positioned above said Alight source vwith its center iii the region of said source, the spherical reflector extending down to saidl plane iii such manner and the seing .positioned above saidy plane in suoli manner that a concentrated A.

beam of light sharply defined on its upper' side may be projected horizontally.

Ll. Projection apparatus comprising a concave reflector having the shape formed by cutting away a portion thereof' lying on one side ofthe-.axis 'or-'the reflector, a light source at the focus of the reflector, a deiiector for deflecting light from the source to the reflector, an auxiliary light source, and means for mounting 'the deflector and auxiliary source substantially in the space which 4said portion of the reflector would occupy, the deiiector being movable relatively to the reflector.

l5. Projection apparatus comprising a concave reflector having the shape. :formed by cutting away a portion thereof lying 'on one side of `the ot the reflectoigalight source at the focus oi. the reflector, an auX- iliary light source7 means ior mountingthe light sources I substantially in the space 4which' said. portion of thepreflector would occupy, anda casing tor the light sources,

arranged so that the`y auxiliary source pro? jects outwardly through the casing in suoliiiianner that it is visible both laterally and forwardly. g fy 16. Projection lapparatus comprising a concave reflectorv having" th by cutting awayfsubsta "ally the portion thereof iying on one sido of a plane containing the airis of ythe reflector, a .main

llt?

e shape formed light source at -lie foods ille reflector, a delecto foi* deiiecing liglif, i'om the source io the zellectoi7 an auxiliary vlight source in from of the main light somme, means ifor mounting lle delle-'stof and light Sources in @he space which said portioii'ei" the deiecior would occupy, 2mal a casing .for the (lellector and main. ligli', source, the @Rising shielding the auXiliai-y light sou'i'ce l@ only on the rear whereby 'the Source is vislboth lly and forwaidly.

l'. li'ojeehion appsliils compising i. concave ieleotoi: lmviiig 'the shame formeel. by cutting away e porioii theme01* lyiiig; on

light'. source at 't ie focus of the i'e'lec-or, mi mixiliaij light source, meims for motiiiiiig the light sources :in the Space which Said portion of the reflector would occupy, :imi ai easing foi the lglii sources., the casing lien/'ing iii 'opening through which the auxiliard light source proeots.

llrojeciioii appaiiitii-s comprising a conceive ifeflec'oi having the Shape formeel by cutting away a poition. 'thereof lying on mi@ eide of a plane con" 'ing 'the axis of alie reflector, a main light firm at the, ociie of the yelled-Loi; mi. auxili fy lglifsouiwe: menno nio'uiiiing the light souces the space which said poi'cioii of the reecioi would occupy, a casing the light someee, the casing having an opening'tliiough which ih@ .auxiliary light somme-projects, mici a. tiaiiepuient dome aifouiid the auxiliary source.

19e Projection appamus: compi'ising a. 'i '-ector having; the shape formed away sulisenaly like portion lying on mie side of a plane pass- Lough the egioii of lieocris of the :i 'member ai'sieiiecl to lle 'relectoi li h source at eating' iibl" mi movable; ei'leoo mi ce estoi" would occupy.

eoiripiisiig fi il@ concave reis-olio?? at least u porti-:m of which.

one Side of the axis of the eiieoto, a main.

is positioned on one Sicile oi? li pleine c0111- tainiiig ilie axis of the reieotoi", a, iight souice at the focus'o lie-reflector, a deflector for delecting light from the source to the .reectoi and means .foy detaclia'bly 'mounting the liglitsource andi cleifieotoi1 subs-mitially Within' 'the space deiined. by :i oo n- *Jiiuation of said portion of the reflector be- .'yond said plane. i

2. Light projection f apparatus oompiisiiig e, comme refleetof having the shape formed by cfutiiiig away ii portion thereof om one Side (if lie axis of the reflector, a light ,source at the. focus of lie releeior, a transparent firent @over 'for the ieiiecor, a cas ing ove? lle cutaway side oi. the ieector,.

means foi.' detacliaoiy mounting he. casing so that it may be bodily removed, 4lieieby to afford accese lo the inteiior ofthe al@ params ,Without d istmbing the front cover, and means for mounging the ligli source in ille casingl Pojeotioii apparatus comprising' ziliglit smiioe, a. concave reflector, :i detachable euxiliaiy ifeieotoij 'loi' miieotiiig light from vthe ligii- Soui'ce 'to the concave To# liefste?, me auxiliary reiiec'oi having an apeite iieiein, and means ifm mouning the light source in. said'zipertuie 24, Projection appaiatus comprising zi ligli?J source, a concave efiecto, si (lef/ach# able auxiliary reectoi for reflecting light from the light source `to ille oen/cave ref iiecoi, and means fox' mounting lie iight source on the auxiliary reecitoi.

Signal "by me at Bosiion, li/izi .limsi/33ml my of May, 1916.

ssacliiisets, 

